Duplex (2003)

Duplex is a wickedly funny pressure-cooker comedy that takes a relatable “dream home” fantasy and twists it into a gleefully escalating nightmare, guided by Danny DeVito’s knack for pushing everyday irritation into full-blown farce. Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore make a charming, believable couple whose chemistry keeps you invested even as their patience evaporates, and Eileen Essell is a small miracle of comic energy—sweet as pie on the surface, chaos in motion underneath. The vibe is dark, brisk, and proudly mean in that early-2000s studio-comedy way, with physical gags and perfectly timed interruptions that build like a symphony of bad neighbors. If you don’t enjoy cringe, cruelty-tinged humor or the idea of decent people behaving badly under stress, it may not be your cup of tea—but if you do, it’s a nasty little treat.

Duplex is trying to be a dark, escalating “nightmare neighbor” farce, with Danny DeVito pushing Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore into ever more desperate, morally sketchy choices. The problem is the movie leans so hard on contrived bad luck and repetitive torment that the comedy can feel more exhausting than funny, especially once the cruelty ramps up and you’re basically waiting for the next humiliating setback. If you like mean-spirited slapstick and can enjoy watching decent people unravel in an implausible situation, there are a few solid performer moments and a couple of nasty little gags. If you’re after clever escalation, believable stakes, or a payoff that feels earned, this one may just waste your time.